Gene Chizik was fired Sunday by Auburn two seasons after he took the Tigers to the BCS title. / John David Mercer, US PRESSWIRE

by James Crepea, USA TODAY Sports

by James Crepea, USA TODAY Sports

Less than two years after leading Auburn to a 14-0 record and the 2010 BCS National Championship - the first championship in 53 years for the program - Chizik was fired Sunday morning.

Saturday's 49-0 loss to rival No. 2 Alabama in the Iron Bowl Saturday left the Tigers 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the SEC. It was the worst season in 60 years for the program and the first time Auburn was winless in conference play since 1980 (0-6).

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs recommended to university president Jay Gogue to fire Chizik, who went 33-19 in four seasons at Auburn, including 8-5 records in 2009 and 2011.

"After some tough losses in a transition year in 2011, I had hoped our team would show improvement this season. Unfortunately, it did not. As we all know, the competition in our league is fierce. In the final analysis, I decided that we cannot risk falling further behind by waiting another year and hoping for improvement. That is why we decided it was time for a change."

Jacobs said Chizik's firing was immediate and the university will buy out the remainder of his contract and his nine full-time assistants, though the assistants were told they can apply for positions with the new head coach when one is named. No interim head coach will be named, Jacobs said.

Chizik's buyout would have depreciated to $7.5 million on Dec. 1, meaning he will be owed approximately $7.55 million based on the prorated scale of the buyout in his contract.

"I'm extremely disappointed with the way this season turned out and I apologize to the Auburn family and our team for what they have had to endure," Chizik said in a statement released by the Auburn athletic department. "In my 27 years of coaching, I have gained an understanding of the high expectations in this profession. When expectations are not met, I understand changes must be made.

"While we experienced a tremendous low in 2012, I will always be proud of the incredible highs that we achieved, including three bowl victories, an SEC championship and a national championship."

An athletic department release said the total cost of the buyouts for Chizik and his assistants will be $11.09 million. That amount could be offset by any income they receive during the remaining term of their contracts.

Six assistants will be paid in monthly installments through June 2013, and three others - Brian VanGorder, Scot Loeffler and Trooper Taylor - will be paid through June 2014.

Executive associate athletic director Tim Jackson will no longer be part of the football program but will remain with the athletic department, Jacobs said.

A national coaching search will begin immediately and the search committee will include Jacobs and Auburn alumni Mac Crawford and Heisman Trophy winners Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson.

"I sincerely appreciate Coach Chizik and his staff for their commitment, hard work and leadership," Gogue said in a statement. "Athletics Director Jay Jacobs is now devoting his time and energy to search for a new coach who will lead Auburn football to excellence. I look forward to receiving a recommendation from his committee."

Jacobs said there is no timeframe for the committee, which will use a search firm to assist. As of Sunday afternoon, Jacobs said the school had not reached out to any candidates.

"We're going to take the time that is necessary to find the person with a proven track record," Jacobs said. "Somebody that plays by the rules and someone that will continue to build on the student-athlete's success academically."

Jacobs would not comment on any potential candidates and said he does not have a preference of an offensive or defensive-minded coach.

"Statistically speaking, the defensive teams get to the SEC championship," he said. "When you look out there and you see all the spread offenses, people scoring points, can you find a fine balance of that? We're going to find the best coach we possibly can for Auburn."

Last week, Yahoo! Sports and al.com reported the NCAA is investigating the football program regarding former signee Jovon Robinson, who was declared ineligible after his transcript was found to have been forged, and the recruiting practices of running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Curtis Luper and Taylor. At least one assistant coach and several players were interviewed by the NCAA on campus last week, according to al.com.

Chizik called the reports, which were similar to allegations made last month by Danny Sheridan of USA Today, "speculation," and Jacobs said he does not think NCAA issues will prevent any potential candidate from wanting to be the next Tigers head coach.

"As is our standing policy, we're not going to talk about, confirm or deny anything with the NCAA," Jacobs said. "I have the utmost confidence in our NCAA rules compliance, and I don't think that anybody's going to shy away from an opportunity to coach at Auburn and in the SEC."

Following Saturday's loss to Alabama, Chizik said the results of the season were not acceptable. Jacobs echoed that sentiment in his press conference.

"Winning three games is unacceptable," he said. "We have high standards here at Auburn, and we're going to keep them high. That's what it boiled down to."

Jacobs also said off-the-field issues concerned him when evaluating the program as well.

"Overall discipline is something that always is a foundational thing in any team you have," he said.

In June, two former players were killed in an apartment complex shooting which left three dead and three injured.

Center Reese Dismukes was arrested for public intoxication Aug. 25 and shortly after, Chizik instituted an 11 p.m. curfew for the team. The Advertiser reported the program was using a private security firm to help enforce the curfews.

On Sept. 27, wide receiver Quan Bray was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

Jacobs said he became greatly concerned about the program after a 24-7 loss to Arkansas on Oct. 6.

"The Mississippi State game, five turnovers - OK," Jacobs said, referring to the Tigers' 28-10 loss to MSU on Sept. 8. "But after the Arkansas game, I became very concerned in our fundamental approach to the game."

Ironically, following the Arkansas game Chizik expressed no concern over his future at Auburn.

"I'm never concerned about my job security," Chizik said at the time. "I'm very comfortable with myself. I'm working really hard, and I plan on being at Auburn next year."

The next day, Chizik said he was going to take a more active role in the offense, publicly undermining Loeffler. Auburn ended the season ranked 118th in total offense with 305 yards per game.

Auburn had a terrible season defensively as well, finishing 84th in total defense (420.5 yards per game). The Tigers allowed their last three SEC opponents to score touchdowns on 16 of 18 first-half possessions.

Auburn gave up a record 671 yards against Texas A&M, and Georgia (38-0) and Alabama (49-0) posted dominant shutouts over the Tigers.

Over the past two seasons against rivals Georgia and Alabama, the Tigers were outscored by a cumulative score of 174-21.